How to Grade Your Head Vase

"POOR" condition means that the head vase shows major signs of wear including paint wear, paint loss, hairlines, dirty and heavy crazing. No label or marks are present. Also the piece is noticeably broken, chipped or re-glued and has missing accessories.

"FAIR" indicates that the piece has crazing, some paint loss, paint wear, missing earring(s) and/or accessories, and needs cleaning. The piece may have small hairlines and/or tiny chips but is not broken or re-glued.

"GOOD" means there is a little crazing, paint loss or paint wear, missing accessory parts, and requires minor cleaning. The piece may have small hairlines but no chips. Original label or tags may be missing or ripped.

"VERY GOOD/ EXCELLENT" means there is very minor crazing, very little or no paint loss or paint wear, earrings and/or accessories are intact or may be replaced, and no cleaning is necessary. Item has been used but is still pristine. Original label and tags may be slightly worn.

"NEAR MINT/ MINT" means the item has never been used and is pristine. No paint loss, paint wear or crazing. All accessories and original label are intact.

Head vases in excellent (nearly perfect) and mint condition can fetch double the price of those in fair condition. For example, if a head vase in fair condition is worth $ 40-50, the same piece in mint or excellent condition would be valued at around $100. By contrast, prices may drop 25-50% from the fair condition value if the piece is in poor condition.

PLEASE NOTE:
A NOTE ABOUT PRICE ESTIMATES
A common question from our visitors is: "Why do you give such a wide price range on each head vase in this section?" The reason is that these prices are based on head vases that are in excellent condition; however, "excellent condition" can have different meanings for different head vases. For example, a head vase may have no damage or crazing but may be dirty inside. Another may be clean but has some light crazing. One may be in near mint condition but is missing its earrings and necklace. Because the definition of "excellent condition" varies so much, the estimates in this price guide vary accordingly. Ultimately, of course, it is up to each collector to decide how much each head vase is worth.

This section is based on extensive research from different sources such as on-line auctions, antique and collectible merchants, on-line stores, books, and much more.

This price guide section is intended to give you an idea of the value of each head vase. Please note that we cannot be responsible for any errors or changing market values. All of the prices below reflect the estimated value of head vases that are in excellent condition and have no cracks, hairlines, and/or chips.